State-Run Insurance Plans for Foster Kids Leave Some Without Doctors

North Carolina's new specialized Medicaid plan for children in foster care has struggled to build an adequate provider network, leaving families scrambling to find care.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:37pm

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Ollie Super, an 8-year-old girl in foster care, is dealing with a recurrence of neuroblastoma cancer. Her parents tried to enroll her in a clinical trial for CAR T-cell therapy, but North Carolina's new state-run insurance plan for foster children wouldn't cover the treatment. Thousands of doctors whose services were covered under regular Medicaid were not included in the specialized plan when it launched, leaving many foster families without access to their regular providers.

Why it matters

The rollout problems with North Carolina's new specialized Medicaid plan for foster children highlight broader challenges with these types of plans across the country. While the plans aim to improve care for a vulnerable population, they have often struggled to build adequate provider networks, leaving families to navigate a complex system to find doctors who will accept the insurance.

The details

When North Carolina's new Healthy Blue Care Together plan for foster children launched in December 2025, thousands of doctors who previously accepted regular Medicaid were not included in the new network. This left families like the Supers, who adopted Ollie out of the foster system, scrambling to find new providers covered by the plan. The plan's issues have added another layer of complication as the state grapples with expected Medicaid cuts and a separate reimbursement rate reduction.

  • Ollie Super was diagnosed with neuroblastoma as a toddler while in foster care.
  • Ollie's parents adopted her in 2020.
  • Ollie's cancer returned in late 2025.
  • North Carolina's new Healthy Blue Care Together plan for foster children launched on December 1, 2025.
  • In early March 2026, UNC Health told the Supers the plan would not cover Ollie's CAR T-cell therapy.

The players

Ollie Super

An 8-year-old girl in foster care who is dealing with a recurrence of neuroblastoma cancer.

Britany Super

Ollie's adoptive mother, who is trying to get coverage for Ollie's cancer treatment.

Healthy Blue Care Together

North Carolina's new specialized Medicaid plan for children in the foster care system.

UNC Health

A large health system in North Carolina that initially did not accept the new Healthy Blue insurance plan.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina

The insurance company that runs the Healthy Blue plan.

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What they’re saying

“The biggest challenges for her will be in the first few months of the study. But I'm hoping that after that, the CAR T-cells will do their job and fight the cancer and she can continue to have a playful, active life.”

— Britany Super, Ollie's adoptive mother

“Network management for any plan is an ongoing process.”

— Sara Lang, Spokesperson, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina

What’s next

North Carolina officials are pressing the Healthy Blue plan to expand its provider network, and the plan's leaders say they are working to address issues and get feedback from doctors, parents, and others.

The takeaway

The rollout problems with North Carolina's new specialized Medicaid plan for foster children highlight the broader challenges these types of plans have faced across the country. While the plans aim to improve care for a vulnerable population, they have often struggled to build adequate provider networks, leaving families to navigate a complex system to find doctors who will accept the insurance.